Splitter for Craftsman TS?

[Greg Peterson]

Since Craftsmen TS accessories are the flavor this evening, anyone know if there is a splitter that will fit a late 60's early70's craftsman TS? This is a hand me down TS and came without a fence, belt guard and splitter/blade guard.

I'm hesitant to do any rips on it without a splitter. Don't want to have to discard it because it lacks a splitter.

[Dan Wilt]

What about a MJ splitter? All you need is a ZCI and they are only about $20.

[Chris Bolton]

It is pretty easy (and better in most cases) to make your own zero clearance insert which replaces the standard plate on the saw and simply adding in a splitter by gluing it in place. If you do a search on the forum for "zero clearance insert" you should find instructions on how to do it. You basically use the stock throat plate as a template and make a copy (or better yet, a bunch of copies) out of MDF, plywood or polycarbonate.

[Mike Shoemaker]

If you don't go that route. There are always a few on E-Bay. Put in Craftsman table saw, you'll get all kinds of parts.

[Dave Harker]

from a gate hinge, I kid you not. It is precisely 1/8" wide, same as my full-kerf WWII blade, and bolts right onto my Grizzly G1023SL saw.

Here are pics and info on my website:

http://webpages.charter.net/harkerhome/WWShop/splitter.html

Here is one pic, as a teaser - more on the site:

http://webpages.charter.net/harkerhome/images/splitter/splitWithInsert.JPG

[Greg Peterson]

Thanks guys. I looked at the MJ Splitter, but wasn't that impressed. Just didn't seem substantial enough. Probably doesn't require alot of beef, just preventing the board from pinching the back side of the blade is all it needs to do.

[glenn bradley]

My 70's C-man had the 3/16 deep throat plate. I would make ZCI's by putting a 1/16" rabbet around the outer edge of 1/4 hardboard. Add a beaver tail at the rear to act as the retainer pin and slot the front for the screw / hold down. Once this was taken care of I used a couple different methods. The "L" screw shown here:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=38427

I prefer the MJ splitter; cheap, easy and works very well:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=45539

[Brian Dormer]

I'll also cast a positive vote for the MJ splitter. Well worth the money - works like a champ - easy to put on and take off (so it actually gets used).

[Carl Eyman]

While it may not have magical qualities like its namesake, I find it very satisfactoy. Woodworker Supply carries them. #118-179 in their catalog. Costs $130 but includes a new quadrant for the tilting arbor.

[Greg Peterson]

Carl,
I had seen the Merlin splitter some time ago. I even called Excalibur and inquired as to whether or not it would fit my Craftsman table saw. At the time it did not appear they offered one that would fit.

Thanks for the reference.

[Doug Mason]

I think Chris Bolton has the right idea. I bought an aftermarket version for my Griz 1023--but I don't use it anymore. For me, it is simply easier/better to make my inserts (w/router & flush trim bit) out of mdf and glue a splitter to it.